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Non-Wargaming Discussion => Chat & News => Topic started by: Steve J on 17 February 2022, 12:04:44 PM

Title: Storm Eunice
Post by: Steve J on 17 February 2022, 12:04:44 PM
Well I've just seen the update weather for hear in Bristol and for the first time I'm aware of, we are under a Red Alert warning, with forecast 70 mph plus winds :o . So I'm now off to do the shopping I planned to do tomorrow morning! I hope everyone is safe after Storm Dudley and fingers crossed for tomorrow...
Title: Re: Storm Eunice
Post by: Lord Kermit of Birkenhead on 17 February 2022, 12:18:05 PM
A little bit breezey and rather wet but no damage here, lets hope it's the same tomorrow. Fortuneatly our electric supply is burried, and my phone and internet are as well.
Title: Re: Storm Eunice
Post by: Leon on 17 February 2022, 01:11:02 PM
Bit of a rough night up here but everything's survived so far.  We're supposed to be driving to Bangor tomorrow for the eldest's Uni open day but I'm not sure if it'll be cancelled.
Title: Re: Storm Eunice
Post by: Lord Kermit of Birkenhead on 17 February 2022, 01:14:40 PM
Long drive that and some rough spots particularly if you are going over the 62.
Title: Re: Storm Eunice
Post by: Leon on 17 February 2022, 01:26:03 PM
Quote from: Lord Kermit of Birkenhead on 17 February 2022, 01:14:40 PMLong drive that and some rough spots particularly if you are going over the 62.

Yeah, it's not much fun over the top of the moors when the weather gets bad.  It used to be my commute when I lived in Doncaster but worked in Manchester and there were some hairy nights driving home over there!
Title: Re: Storm Eunice
Post by: Steve J on 17 February 2022, 02:17:23 PM
Well they've closed the schools in South Wales tomorrow and cancelled all train services. The latest update is now for 80 mph winds :o .
Title: Re: Storm Eunice
Post by: T13A on 17 February 2022, 03:09:23 PM
Hi

Just had an e-mail from my son's school here in Somerset saying it will be closed tomorrow due to the storm (we are about 15 miles from Bristol). At least they have given us some notice, but not surprising really as the roof partially blew off in another storm about 3 years ago!

We are due to go up to London early on Saturday morning by train for a few days, catching a match at the Cottage ("come on you Whites!!") and booked to go to the National Army Museum and the British Museum on Sunday and had planned to go to Greewich on Monday. But given what is happening who knows!

Stay safe everyone.

Cheers Paul
Title: Re: Storm Eunice
Post by: Raider4 on 17 February 2022, 04:20:15 PM
I've had two emails from my insurance company today: "here to support you when you need us most" and "here to protect your home during a storm".

Think it's going to be the north coasts of Devon, Cornwall and Somerset, and the Cardiff area that's going to be hardest hit.
Title: Re: Storm Eunice
Post by: steve_holmes_11 on 17 February 2022, 05:31:37 PM
Good luck everybody. 
This is the 4th in these parts this year, and forecast to be the big one.

Stay in if you can, be careful if you cant, be lucky in either case.

I hope to hear from everybody (save and well) once it's all blown by.
Title: Re: Storm Eunice
Post by: Steve J on 17 February 2022, 06:04:00 PM
My wife's school now closed, along with other in Bristol and surrounding areas. Unsurprisingly bus services suspended until tomorrow afternoon and the police advising against all travel.
Title: Re: Storm Eunice
Post by: paulr on 17 February 2022, 06:19:26 PM
Good luck all
Title: Re: Storm Eunice
Post by: kustenjaeger on 17 February 2022, 10:16:37 PM
We're due to be going to the New Forest later tomorrow (from Surrey) for a week's holiday. So we're watching the wind speeds to avoid the worst of the high winds (presently forecast to be high 70s mph here and (before we get there) high 80s at our destination.

Edward
Title: Re: Storm Eunice
Post by: jimduncanuk on 17 February 2022, 11:00:00 PM
Quote from: Leon on 17 February 2022, 01:11:02 PMBit of a rough night up here but everything's survived so far.  We're supposed to be driving to Bangor tomorrow for the eldest's Uni open day but I'm not sure if it'll be cancelled.

The advice is not to travel.
Title: Re: Storm Eunice
Post by: Orcs on 18 February 2022, 01:12:21 AM
Quote from: jimduncanuk on 17 February 2022, 11:00:00 PMThe advice is not to travel.


Yes It might be, and its possibly good advice. It might also be over exaggeration to get people not to travel.

A good few years ago I was up in Wigan when a huge snowstorm was forecast down central England and people were told not to travel. I had to get home so I borrowed a shovel made sure we had blankets and food in the car, and set off earlier than planned.

The M6 had not been cleared and we ended up being diverted off of it for the bit through Birmingham. I then got onto the M1. All lanes and the hard shoulder had been completely cleared of snow by the snow ploughs and the road gritted. I was happily zipping along at around the speed limit with the few others on the road, when The radio  announced that the police had said the M1 was completely shut and snow bound from the junction I had got on at down to the M25, and saying and not to use it. Both the M1 and M25 had been  completely cleared of snow  all the way home to Essex. 
   
Several times since in bad weather the radio has reported that the bit of Motorway I was cruising down at 70mph+ was impassible and not to use it.


Title: Re: Storm Eunice
Post by: pierre the shy on 18 February 2022, 01:36:07 AM
Best of luck to all those affected by Storm Eunice. We had ex-tropical cyclone Dovi pass through central NZ last weekend with plenty of high winds and lots of rain.

Staying at home sounds like a plan......decrease your lead piles a little instead  ;)
Title: Re: Storm Eunice
Post by: Phil2 on 18 February 2022, 07:36:04 AM
Just been outside to check on the horses...and go and feed the semi feral cat, in the pole barn.

Pretty windy, atm...but not as bad as it might get in the next couple of hours.

I've almost been knocked over by the wind, here, in the past, ......It hasn't reached that stage yet.

What was interesting yesterday afternoon, was that the little birds all bogged off around three o'clock.
They usually flock down when I put their second 'meal' down.....but that's barely been touched.
Title: Re: Storm Eunice
Post by: Steve J on 18 February 2022, 07:40:03 AM
Winds beginning to pick up here now and the Red Warning now covers London, the South East and East Anglia from 10.00am to 3.00pm. Some roads in Gloucestershire now closed and unsurprisingly both Severn bridges closed too. Best thing to do is stay at home.
Title: Re: Storm Eunice
Post by: Lord Kermit of Birkenhead on 18 February 2022, 07:56:26 AM
Likewise here, was dead calm with a clearing sky 10 mins ago, now koud gusts and sky is darkling - promising heavy weather. (That is a quote for Phil)
Title: Re: Storm Eunice
Post by: Steve J on 18 February 2022, 07:58:42 AM
Well I just saw a plane on its approach run into Bristol airport. It's known for being one of the windiest airports to land on given it's right on top of a hill with no other high ground for many miles around. I think it might be a bumpy landing :-\ .

The sky is pretty clear with high scudding clouds and blue sky to the West at present. I imagine that will change soon.
Title: Re: Storm Eunice
Post by: Lord Kermit of Birkenhead on 18 February 2022, 09:36:20 AM
I'm real confused now, clear sky and little wind.
Title: Re: Storm Eunice
Post by: DecemDave on 18 February 2022, 10:13:33 AM
Quotedecrease your lead piles a little instead  ;)
Impossible to focus:  nervously watching enormous waves crash on to the beach at the moment and its still 2 hours to high tide. 
Title: Re: Storm Eunice
Post by: Ben Waterhouse on 18 February 2022, 10:39:48 AM
Just had a 92mph gust on the Isle of Wight...
Title: Re: Storm Eunice
Post by: Orcs on 18 February 2022, 10:54:13 AM
In Bucks, Right on the edge of the Red Warning area , the sun is shining and its a little blowy.  Nothing like the 70MPH winds that the BBC are showing for our area at this time.

 
Title: Re: Storm Eunice
Post by: Steve J on 18 February 2022, 11:05:14 AM
It's really blowing hard now with driving rain too. One fence post broken (well it is nearly 20 years old) and  another not looking too good. I know what I'll be replacing in the next month or do!
Title: Re: Storm Eunice
Post by: Leon on 18 February 2022, 12:16:42 PM
The winds aren't too bad oop north but we're getting a lot of rain at the moment.  We're supposed to get hit about 5pm today now.

And you might have guessed that we're not in a car on the way to Bangor either!
Title: Re: Storm Eunice
Post by: Orcs on 18 February 2022, 12:35:38 PM
Weather has really picked up in the last hour. Most things are battened down or in the garage.
Title: Re: Storm Eunice
Post by: Steve J on 18 February 2022, 01:20:38 PM
The wind was really roaring about 30 minutes ago but it's now abating somewhat and brighter skies are appearing. Off to do an external check of the house...
Title: Re: Storm Eunice
Post by: Nick the Lemming on 18 February 2022, 01:36:47 PM
122mph n the Needles on the IOW now...  :o
Title: Re: Storm Eunice
Post by: Steve J on 18 February 2022, 02:38:08 PM
A neighbour has lost part of his garage roof and a few fence panels down further up the road. Still very gusty but slowly improving.
Title: Re: Storm Eunice
Post by: Raider4 on 18 February 2022, 03:11:39 PM
Seen a fair few green/black recycling boxes - and their contents - go sliding up the road.
Title: Re: Storm Eunice
Post by: Duke Speedy of Leighton on 18 February 2022, 06:10:09 PM
Hope you are okay.

We've lost a roof tile off the back of our house, thankfully it hit one of the conservatory beams not the glass
Title: Re: Storm Eunice
Post by: Raider4 on 18 February 2022, 07:56:51 PM
QuoteIt might also be over exaggeration to get people not to travel.

Aye, possibly. I think the Met Office is now overly sensitive, after the Michael Fish "Hurricane?, No, no hurricane here"* debacle of 1987.

Quote. . . the bit of Motorway I was cruising down at 70mph+
Tut, tut. Naughty boy.


* Technically he was right, but people don't really care what the correct meteorological name is for the bloody great storm that's tearing their house apart is.
Title: Re: Storm Eunice
Post by: DecemDave on 18 February 2022, 09:18:21 PM
QuoteImpossible to focus:  nervously watching enormous waves crash on to the beach at the moment and its still 2 hours to high tide.
Not sure you are allowed to quote yourself but wanted to note that about half an hour after posting, a truck loaded with shingle and a small bulldozer turned up to raise the shingle bank defences.  Those guys earned their wages today.  =D>  =D>   

I wonder if I post comments on the potholed roads here, that will get fixed as well?
Title: Re: Storm Eunice
Post by: paulr on 18 February 2022, 11:02:19 PM
Worth a try  ;)  ;D
Title: Re: Storm Eunice
Post by: Orcs on 19 February 2022, 12:30:15 AM
QuoteTut, tut. Naughty boy.


Surely if the Police are saying the motorway is closed, I can't be speeding on it. It has ceased to be a public highway.

You are unlikely to be stopped by a police car at 80mph on  motorway. Its not worth the paperwork as up to 86MPH its only a speed awareness course.
 

 
Title: Re: Storm Eunice
Post by: Last Hussar on 19 February 2022, 01:35:51 AM
Unofficially it is speed limit plus 10% plus 2mph they do you for. Below that someone who knows what to argue can put a defence up in court.

Not legal advice, in case you are done for 34 in a 30, also it is actual recorded speed recorded by the Gatso, not what's on your speedo. Basically stick to speed limit + 1mph at most. Your speedo I BELIEVE (note the capitals, not legal advice) can be 10% out and still pass MOT.
Title: Re: Storm Eunice
Post by: Steve J on 19 February 2022, 07:46:25 AM
Just checked on our neighbours fence and she has lost at least 6 panels to the storm. I'll repair them once the next set of gales are passed us, which looks like Tuesday at present.
Title: Re: Storm Eunice
Post by: sunjester on 19 February 2022, 01:52:44 PM
I think we have got off lucky. No damage, our neighbour lost a fence panel, but on the other side to us.

But I haven't had the nerve to go and look at my allotment yet!
Title: Re: Storm Eunice
Post by: Lord Kermit of Birkenhead on 19 February 2022, 02:02:14 PM
THe rain arrived this morning in bucket loads, had ferries trying to dock outside it were that heavy. Seems to have passed on.
Title: Re: Storm Eunice
Post by: Leon on 19 February 2022, 04:08:04 PM
Things have calmed down again at this end.  The winds yesterday started lifting two more panels off the roof at work, so I had to get up there again and screw them back down. 
Title: Re: Storm Eunice
Post by: Orcs on 20 February 2022, 12:10:20 AM
QuoteUnofficially it is speed limit plus 10% plus 2mph they do you for.
I did not say you Would not get done I just said you are unlikely to get points

To qualify for a speed awareness course you must be doing less than legal speed limit + 10% + 9mph and have not done the course in the last 3 Years (86 on a motorway)

Yes you might get pulled for that particularly in a 30 mph zone. But on a motorway that equals 79mph. Hence you are highly unlikely to be pulled at 80mph.

Speed cameras are generally set at 10% above the speed limit. But without the extra 2mph leeway. Thus you can get flashed by the camera and not get a ticket.

Speedos may be out by 10% but they legally have to read higher than the actual speed of the vehicle

So while I am not suggesting you try it you could be driving with your speedo showing 94 mph  and still qualify for a speed awareness test. That is assuming your speedo is at the maximum limit of it legal inaccuracy.

Also the diameter of your wheel will vary the accuracy of the speedo. So even a few mm wear on the tyres will affect the accuracy of the speedo

If your Sat Nav shows current speed it is far more likely to be accurate.

Title: Re: Storm Eunice
Post by: Phil2 on 20 February 2022, 07:09:18 AM
Yesterday (Saturday) was FAR more unpleasant.....The wind was still strong..but the rain was absolutely sheeting down.

Wind sounds as though it's dropped a bit, this morning.
Title: Re: Storm Eunice
Post by: Steve J on 20 February 2022, 07:36:50 AM
Gales forecast for all of today and into tomorrow :( .
Title: Re: Storm Eunice
Post by: fred. on 20 February 2022, 09:00:32 AM
We are definitely escaping the worst of here. 

Windy on Friday, but not quite gales. Very cold overnight. 

Saturday, weird weather, heavy rain in the morning, then snow around mid-day. Then dry and sunny in the afternoon, not much wind at all. Went out for a bike ride, expecting to be fairly brief due to the weather, but stayed out for 3hrs as it was nice, and just kept going. Was getting rather grey by the time I got home

Today windy and rainy - which looks like the pattern for the whole day
Title: Re: Storm Eunice
Post by: Raider4 on 20 February 2022, 11:53:05 AM
Today's bit of wet 'n' windy has been upgraded to Franklin.
Title: Re: Storm Eunice
Post by: Phil2 on 20 February 2022, 01:08:14 PM
Whatever its name is....Ferzackely...Farquois..Fred ?

What's blasting Techno Towers, atm, is stronger than the previous two.
Title: Re: Storm Eunice
Post by: Lord Kermit of Birkenhead on 20 February 2022, 01:17:09 PM
Wet but little wind  here
Title: Re: Storm Eunice
Post by: John Cook on 20 February 2022, 04:48:59 PM
Quote from: Orcs on 20 February 2022, 12:10:20 AMYes you might get pulled for that particularly in a 30 mph zone.


Just before Christmas, 34 mph exiting a 30mph zone = 3 points and £100 fine.  B******s, you have to take your eyes off the speedo sometimes to see where you are going.
Title: Re: Storm Eunice
Post by: Duke Speedy of Leighton on 20 February 2022, 05:02:06 PM
36 in a 30 last week! Stupid me!  :o
Title: Re: Storm Eunice
Post by: Steve J on 20 February 2022, 05:30:54 PM
Well it's pouring down here (has been for hours) and now the wind is really, really gusting strongly :( .
Title: Re: Storm Eunice
Post by: Orcs on 20 February 2022, 10:23:19 PM
Quote from: John Cook on 20 February 2022, 04:48:59 PMJust before Christmas, 34 mph exiting a 30mph zone = 3 points and £100 fine.  B******s, you have to take your eyes off the speedo sometimes to see where you are going.

Yep, totally agree.. their favorite place to put the camera van round here is at the bottom of a very steep hill that is 50MPH limitdropping to 30MPh at the bottom of the hill.  the van sits about 100 yards past the 30 MPH sign

Never seen any accidents in that 30MPH section in nearly 30 years, just trying to make money.

Did you not get offered the speed awareness course ? of had you had one in the previous 3 years?



Title: Re: Storm Eunice
Post by: Raider4 on 21 February 2022, 08:42:18 AM
Keep an eye on the weather (in south Wales at least):


Some heavy sea at the moment.
Title: Re: Storm Eunice
Post by: Raider4 on 21 February 2022, 08:45:49 AM

Quote36 in a 30 last week! Stupid me!  :o
Well, with a name like Lord Speedy . . .
Title: Re: Storm Eunice
Post by: John Cook on 22 February 2022, 11:18:59 AM
Quote from: Orcs on 20 February 2022, 10:23:19 PMDid you not get offered the speed awareness course ? of had you had one in the previous 3 years?


Yes but I declined it for three reasons.  First I didn't fancy it in the middle of a pandemic.  Second it meant travelling a considerable distance. 
Finally, and most importantly, I'm not a serial offender and have had two speeding fines in more than fifty years, both in similar circumstances, the earlier one before awareness courses had been thought of and had expired years ago.  I'm aware what excess speed in the wrong place can do, I've been on the scene of two serious accidents, though not involved in them, and don't need to be preached at by some self-important arse of a policeman.
I'm fortunate that I wont miss £100 and just consider the occasional fine an occupational hazard.
Title: Re: Storm Eunice
Post by: Orcs on 22 February 2022, 04:49:45 PM
Quote from: John Cook on 22 February 2022, 11:18:59 AMYes but I declined it for three reasons.  First I didn't fancy it in the middle of a pandemic.  Second it meant travelling a considerable distance. 
Finally, and most importantly, I'm not a serial offender and have had two speeding fines in more than fifty years, both in similar circumstances, the earlier one before awareness courses had been thought of and had expired years ago.  I'm aware what excess speed in the wrong place can do, I've been on the scene of two serious accidents, though not involved in them, and don't need to be preached at by some self-important arse of a policeman.
I'm fortunate that I wont miss £100 and just consider the occasional fine an occupational hazard.

Fair enough.Hopefully your insurance company won't find the points an issue. In my experience some ignore the first two offences, others see 3 points and treat you like you have committed genocide.
Title: Re: Storm Eunice
Post by: John Cook on 22 February 2022, 05:06:49 PM
Quote from: Orcs on 22 February 2022, 04:49:45 PMFair enough.Hopefully your insurance company won't find the points an issue. In my experience some ignore the first two offences, others see 3 points and treat you like you have committed genocide.

No, never had an insurance problem with a speeding offence.  In fact I've just changed insurers and they didn't even ask about speeding offences.  They were only interested in drink/drug driving convictions and any disqualifications. 
Title: Re: Storm Eunice
Post by: Orcs on 22 February 2022, 06:37:56 PM
Quote from: John Cook on 22 February 2022, 05:06:49 PMNo, never had an insurance problem with a speeding offence.  In fact I've just changed insurers and they didn't even ask about speeding offences.  They were only interested in drink/drug driving convictions and any disqualifications. 

Did you tell them about your hopeless addition to lead? :)